sore throat, streptococcal definition of sore throat, streptococcal in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

sore throat, streptococcal (strĕp'təkŏk`əl), infection and inflammation of the pharynx caused by certain streptococcal bacteria. These organisms are known as hemolytic streptococci because they secrete toxins that dissolve, or cause hemolysis of, red blood cells. Acute streptococcal sore throat is usually characterized by an extremely painful throat, enlarged tonsils, and sometimes gastrointestinal disturbances. Scarlet fever scarlet fever or scarlatina, an acute, communicable infection, caused by group A hemolytic streptococcal bacteria (see streptococcus ) that produce an erythrogenic toxin.
..... Click the link for more information. , which is caused by the same streptococcal bacteria, occurs when the microorganisms produce a toxin that, in sensitive individuals, causes appearance of a characteristic rash. Complications of streptococcal infection, which include rheumatic fever rheumatic fever (r
..... Click the link for more information. and sometimes arthritis arthritis, painful inflammation of a joint or joints of the body, usually producing heat and redness. There are many kinds of arthritis. In its various forms, arthritis disables more people than any other chronic disorder.
..... Click the link for more information. and nephritis nephritis (nəfrī`təs), inflammation of the kidney.
..... Click the link for more information. , can be prevented by early, vigorous treatment with penicillin penicillin, any of a group of chemically similar substances obtained from molds of the genus Penicillium that were the first antibiotic agents to be used successfully in the treatment of bacterial infections in humans.
..... Click the link for more information. or other suitable antibiotics.